PLC's admissions process is guided by our desire to develop well-rounded, extraordinary leaders. Typically, we receive over 500 applications for the 50 positions in each incoming class. Our admissions process is as follows:

Application Review Committee: An Assistant Director reviews each application to ensure that the application is complete. Each application is then reviewed and scored by three different PLC alumni and staff members according to a grading rubric that is based on the selection criteria. Committee members' scores and comments are then reviewed to select approximately 120 in-state candidates and 30 out-of-state candidates for the interview round.

Interview: Invited candidates who live in Colorado participate in a 20-minute panel interview with eight to twelve business, government, and community leaders, as well as PLC staff, alumni, parents, and board members. Out-of-state and international students are given a telephone interview by the Assistant Directors for Recruitment and Selection. While each candidate's interview is different, panelists typically ask about material from your application, observations about your life experiences, your goals for the future, how you believe you will benefit from participation in PLC, what you think you will bring to PLC's community and contemporary public affairs issues. This phase is completed by April 1st and you will be notified by mail as to whether or not you have been selected as a PLC scholar. Each year's class of 50 scholars typically includes 40 Colorado residents, 8 non-residents, and 2 international students. A pool of alternates is also established from which we select applicants if openings occur.